Tonsorial device



1931. A. F. MIRAFUENTES 1,829,667

TONSORIAL DEVICE Filed Dec. 11, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gme'niox 5 person is the self-appointed victim.

Patented Oct. 27, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE TOHSOBIAL DEVICE Application fled December 11, 1930. Serial No. 501,705.

This invention relates to a tonsorial device and more particularly it relates to a tonsorial device Wlllch is adapted for use either as a razor or a hair trimmer and is easily con- 5 verted into either form.

The device to be described embodies features which in many respects are radical departures in the art. In one form the device is adapted for use as a straight edge razor blades in stepped relation. It has been found that the three bladed arrangement illustrated is very satisfactory for giving a cleaner and quicker shave, but any number of blades may be used to suit the individual user.

By a few simple changes the device may be adapted for use as a hair cutter or trimmer. The blades in each of the adaptations are disposed in stepped relation, but when used as a hair cutter they-are'farther apart and the device is arranged so that an even hair cut or hair trim is assured.

The applicant is well aware that plural bladed razors are old in the field, but it is believed that this is the first time a plural bladed safety razor of the straight edge type has been invented which can be easily transformed into a hair cutter. This implement may by simple changes assume the role of a single bladed razor of the straight edge type, a plural blade straight edge razor, or a single or plural bladed hair trimmer and safety razor.

Even with such a number of possible adaptations and variations suitable to the taste of even the most exacting user, the device is very simply constructed and the change from one form to another is easily made, requiring but a few moments.

It is important to note that the device when used as a hair cutter may be manipulated by the operator to cut his own hair. This has hitherto been considered an impossible task especially when an inexperienced The great utility of the instrument, the ease with which it can be transformed to perform different tasks, the simplicity with which it is mani ulated and its simple but durable construction which permits -its manuhaving a single blade or a plural number of v facture to sell at a price within the reach of everyone, make the invention most desirable for use in the home as well as in tonsorial establishments.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a tonsorial implement which is easily converted from a razor to a hair trimmer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this type which may be quicklyz; changed from a single or plural bladed straight edge razor into a single or plural bladed safety razor and hair cutter.

As still a further object the invention contemplates the use of members which permit a conversion from a plural bladed straight edge razor into a plural bladed hair cutter with only the addition of one element, namely, the comb members.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hair cutter which may safely be used by the operator to cut his own hair.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent when the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the device the parts being arranged to form a plural bladed straight edge razor.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the blade support:

ing members in an unassembled position.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the clamp' bar.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the 0 amping bar taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the blade supporting members in assembled position showing the manner in which they are secured in their ste ped relation.

ig. 6 is a plan view of the device adjusted in hair cutting position with combs attached.

Fig. 7 is an end view of the device shown in Fig. 6, the blades being shown in cutting position.

Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are partial plan views of the comb members showing the different lengths of the teeth.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a modification of the clampmg means.

V 40 ly from its blade supportingsurface.

. r are shown in Fig. 2 in unassembled position."

They are preferably constructed of sheet metal such as aluminum. A handle 16 is integral with the intermediate blade supporting member 12. The end portions 18 of this central blade supportin member are each rovided with two sm cylindrical tubes w 'ch project from the member substantially at right angles to its surfaces. Those indicated by the reference numeral 20 project upward- 1y from the blade supporting surface, while those indicated by; the reference numeral 22 project downwardly-from the-opposit ace of the central'blade supportmg .member The two upper andlowerbladesu portin members 10 and 14 are each; providbd inwardly projecting end-portions 24.

. To secure the upper andlower'blade su 85 porting members to the intermediate bla e supporting member, each of the outer members 10 and 14 are providedat each end with a pair of split pins 26. These split pins are illustrated best in Fig; 5. They are normally of a diameter sli htly greater than that of the cylindrical 20 and 22, but due to their split construction theymay be forced into said tubes and resiliently held'therein to form an efiectivesecurin'g means.

85 It will be clear from Fig. 5 that the s lit pins on the upper bladesupporting mem ber 10 project downwardly from the under surface, of the member, while those on the lower blade supporting member 14 project upward- As illustrated in F1 1 and 5, showing the plural bladed razor a aptation, the centrally located split pins are used, while in thehair cuttingpositions, shown in Figs. 6 and 7 it is the split pins positioned on the end portions 24 which are used.

The invention can be adapted for use with any type of blade, but is illustrated in the drawings as utilizin a blade of the Durham- Duplex type, a dou le edgeblad'e having a long central aperture therein.

The blades 28 are removably secured to the blade supporting member by means of tongues 30 on the blade supporting members ,55 and a clamping bar 32. These tongues 30 are preferably integral with the blade su portmg members-and may be formed l y stamping them from the metal so that their engaging surfaces are parallel to the blade 00 supporting surfaces. Y

The clamping .bars32 are provided with upturned end portions 34 to aid in sliding them into place, and also with a pair of rec. tangular apertures 36 properly spaced to al- 05 low the clamping bars to placed on the blades and blade-supporting members, the ton ues 30 p through said apertures.

e clamping ars may now be slid into the position shown in Fig. 1: so that the under side of the tongues 30 engage the upper surfaces of theclamping bars.

From Figs. 3 and4 it will be noted that the clam ing bars are also provided with cut out portions 38 adjacent the apertures 36. These cut out portions extend only half way throu h the bar. Their function will presently described. In Fig. 1' they are shown in dotted lines and play no part in the clamping operation, the tongues 30 engaging the upper surface of the bars 32. K

I In theposition just described the device may be used as a straight edge razor. The

plural blades not only result in a cleaner shave but in a quicker shave. It is usually necessary to go over the portions to be shaved only once. i This is also of advantage in that the lather used in shaving does not have time to dry so as to cause a'smarting sensation on the face.

' To transform or convert the straight edge razor described into the hair cutter and safety razor shown in Figs. 6 and 7 only a few simple operations are necessary.

In order to widen the device to properly 'space the blades for hair cutting, the split pins 26 on the end portions 24 of the blade supportin members 10 and 14 are used in securing t ese outer members to the central blade supporting member 12. An end view oFt the members thus assembled is shown in 1g. a .In Figs. 8, 9 and 10, portionsof the comb members 40, 42, and 44 are shown. The comb members are adapted for insertion between the blade supporting members and the blades 28. Each of the comb members is provided with rectangular apertures 46 similar to those in the clamping bar 32 in size and for ermitting the tongues to pass therethrough. ut in order that these comb members may lie flat on the blade supporting members it is also necessary to provide two of them, the intermediate 42, and the lower 44' with apertures 48 at each end. The intermediate comb porting member is provided with one aperture 48 at each end for the passage of the cylindrical tubes 20. The lower comb 44 whlch lies on the lower blade supporting member 14 has two apertures 50 at each end for the passage of the split pins 26. The upper comb 40 rests on the blade supporting member 10 and as all the projections thereon are on' the under surface it. obviously is not necessary to provide this upper comb member with apertures.-

Although Fig. 6 shows the teeth of the comb members as of varying lengths, this will be more clearly apparent from Figs. 8, 9 and 10. H

' means of the cut out portions 38 in ing bar 32 which have been previously deand the distance With the added thiclmess of the combs, some provision must be made for allowing the clamping bar to clamp the members in operative position. This is accomplished by the clampscribed.

The combs are of a thickness half that of the clamping bar 32. With the combs and blades in place on the blade supporting members,,the clamping bar 32 is again slid into position. Due to the added thickness of the combs, the tongues 30 will no longer engage the upper surface of the clamping bar, but can only engage the cut out portion '38.

It has beenfound that the clamping arrangement described acts to securely hold the members in their operative positions. In addition to this the cut out portions 38 permit the device to be constructed of fewer parts.

Another arrangement for clamping either a razor blade or a razor blade and a comb member to a blade supporting member is illustrated in Fig. 11 of the drawings. As shown in that figure the blade supporting members are provided with vertical studs 52 instead of the tongues 30. These studs are positioned so as to 1n a. razor blade. Each of the'studsis provided with two horizontal notches 54. These notches are' positioned one above the other and onopposite sides of the stud/ .On each of the studs the notches are arranged in the same fashion. That is, the lower notches are equidistant from the blade supporting member and are on the same sides of the studs. The same is true of the upper notches as will be apparent from the drawings.

The clamping member 56 is quite similar to the clamping members 32 previously described. It is provided with apertures 58 in alignment with the studs 54 and of sufiicient diameter to permit the studs to pass therethrough. The thickness of the clamping member should be but a fraction less than the width of thenotches.

The distance between the lower notches and the blade supporting member is substantially equal to the thickness ofa razor blade between the 11 per notches and the blade supporting mem ber is equal to the combined thicknesses of a razor blade and a comb member.

A handle 60 is provided on the clamping member for convenience'in handling. The operation of this clamping means is apparent. A razor blade, or a razor blade and a comb member, are placed on the blade supporting member over the studs 52. The clamping member is then placed over the studs 52 and it is then pushed horizontally so that the edges of the apertures 58 will be ngaged'by the notches 54. Where it is desired to clamp only a razor blade, the lower pass through apertures notches will engage the clamping member, and the upper notches will be used only when it is desired to clamp both a razor blade and a comb member to the blade supporting member.

In operation, that is, when the device is used in cutting or trimming hair, the handle 16 is grasped by the user and the device is manipulated downwardly on the back of the head and the nape of the neck. It will be noted that the teeth of the intermediate comb member 42 are longer than those on the lower comb member 44 and shorter than the adjacent teeth on u per comb member 40. The manner in whic h the length of the teeth on the combs graduates insures an even trim or cut. One of the greatest advantages of the invention is that it may safely and successfully be used by the manipulator to cut or trim his own hair. With the usual scissors and comb, cutting ones own hair is practically an impossible task. With the present invention even a child can use the device with safety and be certain of securing a neat and even hair cut.

It is also apparent that the device in hair cutting position may also be used as a safety razor. Either of the two extreme edges may be used in shaving, or even all three blades may be used. The combs act as the equivalent of the guards on the conventional safety raz or.

This invention is easily constructed of a few simple parts, and yet is a durable, sturdy implement capable of being adapted to form many functions and to suit even the most particular user.

I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the embodiment shown. The invention disclosed can be eflectively embodied in other modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: p

1. In a tonsorial implement having upper, intermediate, and lower blade supporting members, said blade supporting members being disposed in stepped relation, a pair of split pins at each end of said upper and lower blade supporting members, cylindrical tubes on each side of said intermediate blade supporting member for engaging one of the split plus of each pair, whereby the stepped relation of the blade supporting members may be varied.

2. A tonsorial device comprising upper, intermediate and lower blade supporting members adjustably secured in stepped relation, means for clamping razor blades on said blade supporting members, said means comprising members projecting upwardly from said blade supporting members and a clamping bar having apertures therethrough for engaging said upwardly extending members.

3. A tonsorial device comprising upper, intermediate and lower blade supporting members adjustably secured in stepped relation,

means for clamping razor blades on said blade supporting members, said means comprising tongues projecting from the blade ing member, upper, intermediate, and lower comb members having apertures therethrough per, intermediate, and lower blade support-.

for the passage of said upwardly projecting members, a clamping member for each blade supporting member, said clamping members having aperturestherein in alignment with said upwardly projecting members, said upwardly projecting members engaging said clamping member at varying distances relative to the blade supporting member to secure either a razor blade or a razorblade and a gomb member to the blade supporting mem- A tonsorial implement comprising, up-

ing members, said blade supporting members being disposed in stepped relation, tongues on said blade supporting members, the under surface of said tongues being substantially parallel to the blade supporting surfaces, up-

per, intermediate and lower comb members having apertures therethrough for the passage of said tongues, a clamping bar for each blade supporting member for clamping a razor blade and corresponding comb member thereto, said clamping bars having apertures therethrough for the passage of said tongues and cut out portions adjacent the apertures, the under surface of said tongues engaged by the said cut out portion to clamp the members in operative position.

6. A tonsorial lmplement comprising, upper, intermediate and lower blade supporting members being disposed in stepped relation, upwardly pro ecting studs on said blade supporting members, each of said studs having upper and lower notches therein disposed on opposite sides of the stud, said notches being parallelto said blade supporting members, upper, intermediate, and lower comb members ha-ving apertures therethrough for the passage of said studs, a clamping bar for each blade supporting member, each of said clamping bars having apertures therein for said studs, said lower or upper notches engaging the edges of said apertures, for clamping either a razor blade or a razor blade and a blades, said teeth graduatingin length, the

length of the teeth on the intermediate comb member being longer than the teeth on said lower comb member and shorter than the.

teeth on said upper comb member.

8. A tonsorial device comprising a. blade supporting member having tongues thereon, the under surface of said tongues being substantially parallel to the blade supporting surface, a comb member of greater width than said blade supporting member and having apertures therethrough for the passage of said tongues, a razor blade having an aperture therethrough for the passage of said tongues, a clamping bar for clamping the razor blade and the comb member to the blade supporting member, said clamping bar having apertures therethrough in alignment wlth said tongues and cut out portions adjacent said apertures, the underside of said tongues engaging the base of said out out portions when the members are clamped in operative position.

9. A tonsorial device comprising a blade supporting member, an apertured comb member of greater width than said blade supporting member anddisposed thereon, and means to clamp said comb memberand a razor-blade to said blade supporting member, said means comprising tongues on'said blade supporting member having an underside substantially parallel to the blade supporting member, and a clamping bar having apertures in alignment with said tongues and cut out portions adjacent said apertures for engaging the underside of said tongues, the underside of said tongues engaging the upper surface of said clamping bar when said comb member is dispensed with and a razor blade only is clamped to said blade supporting member. Y

10. A tonsorial device comprising a blade supporting member, an apertured comb member of greater width than said blade supporting member and disposed thereon, and clamping means to clamp said comb member and an apertured razor blade to said blade supporting member, said means comprising studs on said blade supporting member, each of said studs having upper and lower notches therein parallel to the blade supporting-member and disposed on opposite sides of said stud, the distance between the lower notches and the blade supporting member being equal to the thickness of the razor blade, the distance between the upper notches and the blade supporting member being equal to the combined thicknesses of the razor blade and the comb member, and a clamping member having apertures therethrough in alignment with said studs, said upper or lower notches engaging the edges of said apertures and the clamping member to clamp either the razor blade or the razor blade and the comb member to said blade supporting member.

11. In a tonsorial implement having upper, intermediate and lower blade supporting members, said blade supporting members being disposed in stepped relation, means for varying the stepped relation, said means including a plurality of spaced elements on the upper and lower blade supporting members, and means on said intermediate member for positively engaging said elements.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my signature.

ALFONSO FLORES MIRAFUENTES. 

